Endometriosis Specialist

Canterbury Women's Health Care

Gynecologists located in Fresno, CA

Endometriosis is a painful condition that can lead to infertility. The experienced gynecologists at Canterbury Women’s Health Care in Fresno, California, are here with treatment options to ease your abnormal bleeding and painful menstruation and protect your fertility. Call or schedule an appointment online to learn more about endometriosis and how to relieve your symptoms.

Endometriosis Q & A

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium, the normal tissue from the uterine lining, attaches to organs in the pelvis and begins to grow. This displaced tissue irritates the pelvis and may lead to pain and infertility.

Adenomyosis is a type of endometriosis where endometrial cells grow on the muscular wall of the uterus, causing abnormal bleeding and pain during menstruation.

Endometriosis can vary in severity from woman to woman, but the cause isn’t known.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Up to 10% of women may have endometriosis. It occurs in four stages based on size, location, the depth of endometriosis implants, the severity of adhesions, and the presence of ovarian endometriomas.

Many women have minimal or mild endometriosis and experience few or no symptoms. Sometimes the only symptom of endometriosis is infertility. Other symptoms include:

Menstrual cramps

Mild menstrual cramps are normal. When they’re severe, it’s called dysmenorrhea and may indicate endometriosis or another uterine condition.

Painful intercourse

Painful intercourse is known as dyspareunia. Pain is often severe just before or after the onset of your period.

Painful urination and defecation

Pain during urination and defecation during menstruation often correlates with endometriosis.

Infertility

Endometriosis occurs in up to 50% of infertile women. Even though endometriosis correlates with infertility, having endometriosis doesn’t mean you’re infertile.

How is endometriosis diagnosed and treated?

Your doctor can’t diagnose endometriosis through symptoms alone. To make an accurate diagnosis, they perform a pelvic exam, ultrasound, and laparoscopy. During laparoscopy, your doctor can diagnose the extent of your endometriosis and determine the best course of treatment.

Treating endometriosis depends on the stage and severity of your symptoms, your desire to have children, and your circumstances. Your doctor may recommend the following options:

Medication

Hormone therapy

Conservative surgery to preserve the uterus and ovaries

Hysterectomy

In mild cases, home remedies and lifestyle changes can ease the symptoms of endometriosis. These include: